RI Language Consortium Program

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​​​​​​​The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island (AICU Rhode Island) offers a Language Consortium program to students currently enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program at one of Rhode Island’s private institutions of higher education (Brown University, Bryant University, Johnson and Wales University, Providence College, Roger Williams University, and Salve Regina University). This program gives our students the opportunity to enroll at any of the consortium schools (on a "space available" basis) in language courses which are not offered at the home institution.

For Providence College language courses, first priority for enrollment will be given to Providence College degree candidates.

Each PC language course carries 3 semester credit hours. Fall and Spring semesters are approximately 15 weeks long (Academic Calendar). The Summer term is not part of the consortium agreement.​

In the Fall and Spring semesters, Language Consortium students may enroll in courses either for letter grade or on a Pass/Fail basis. AICU Rhode Island Language Consortium students should be aware of the grading policy of their Providence College instructor and at their home institution, and should not register for Providence College courses on a Pass/Fail basis if their home institutions will not accept "P" grades for transfer. Upon completion of each course, students may request their Providence College transcript from the Office of Enrollment Services/Academic Records (207 Harkins Hall) and submit it to their home institution for grade and credit transfer. Providence College is not responsible for the student’s home institution’s policies on transfer credit or for providing specific course information to the home university.

How to Apply

Providence College full-time students who wish to register for a course at another institution through the AICU Rhode Island Consortium Program should take the following steps:

Consult the online Course Catalog or check CyberFriar to determine if the course is not available at Providence College. Request a letter to verify this fact from the Chairperson of the Department of Foreign Language Studies to submit to the host college/university.

Select a language course from the host institution’s catalog.

Request permission to take the course of your choice through the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate & Graduate Studies (Harkins 213). Have the course information from the AICU institution available.

Bring written permission to enroll in the course to the Registrar's Office of the AICU institution in which you would like to enroll.

When the course is completed, have an official transcript sent to the Office of Enrollment Services, Providence College, One Cunningham Square, Harkins Hall 310, Providence, RI 02918.

Which Providence College Courses are available to AICU Rhode Island Language Consortium students?

This program is intended to enable students at Rhode Island institutions to advance their knowledge in foreign languages and to extend their participation in courses focused on second language acquisition. Only in instances when a course is not offered at a student’s home institution, may he or she seek enrollment in one of the following courses.

Enrollment is limited to the courses listed below. The exact courses available each semester are subject to change.

Language courses at the 400 level might be chosen in consultation with and by approval of the Chairperson of the Department of Foreign Language Studies.

Students can access course descriptions through the
online Course Catalog, and check on language course availability by reviewing course offerings and enrollment on the
CyberFriar system.

Academic Policies for Language Consortium Classes

Taking a course for credit means that the student must meet all the course requirements as specified by the instructor. Students are also subject to the same academic policies regarding course prerequisites, grading options, extension of work, etc. as any other Providence College student. These policies can be found at
http://catalog.providence.edu/content.php?catoid=6&navoid=205#Grading

Enrollment in a course assumes that the student will attend the class and the scheduled exams, including any final exams. Students should be aware of the course and exam schedule and should make arrangements to meet the expectations of the course.

Students requesting additional time to complete a final paper or assignment should discuss this with the instructor. All incomplete course work must be finished by the mid-semester date of the following semester.

Students from other Rhode Island institutions who wish to register for a course at Providence College should take the following steps:

Visit the Providence College Office of Enrollment Services, Harkins Hall 310, to complete a Special Student Application form (with specific course number and title indicated).

Submit a letter to the above address on your university’s letterhead from your Dean indicating that the course you are requesting is not available at your home institution and that you are approved to enroll in this course and to transfer the credit.

If you are seeking enrollment in a course beyond the 101-level, you must schedule and complete a language placement test. You should coordinate this assessment with the Department of Foreign Language Studies at Providence College.

Enrollment as an AICU Rhode Island Language Consortium student must be approved on a semester-by-semester basis. Enrollment does not imply admission to candidacy for a Providence College degree.

Applications for enrollment as an AICU Rhode Island Language Consortium student should be submitted at least one month prior to the start of the term.

**International Students enrolled in a degree program on an F-1/J-1 must be mindful of their lawful nonimmigrant status. They must, therefore, in advance obtain a letter of concurrent enrollment authorization from their International Student Advisor at their U.S. home institution (who issued their I-20/DS 2019) and submit a copy of that letter to the Center for International Studies at Providence College with the other enrollment materials.

For Students of the AICU Rhode Island Language Consortium Program

Students seeking enrollment in a course beyond the 101 level will need to have their current level of language proficiency assessed. They should meet with the designated faculty member in the Providence College Department of Foreign Language Studies for an assessment interview and to schedule a time to complete a language placement test. After enrollment has been approved and proficiency has been assessed, the student should contact the Department of Foreign Language Studies at least two weeks prior to the start of the semester.
Please keep in mind that registration in some courses is limited because of space.

AICU Rhode Island Language Consortium students may register after matriculating PC students, approximately 1-2 weeks before the start of the semester, in the Office of Enrollment Services (Harkins Hall 310). This office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.